A Hungarian court overturned a fine imposed on a bookstore chain under a law criticized by the European Union (EU) for selling a book about homosexuality without packaging, AFP reported.

The court “overturned the unprecedented fine” of 12 million forints (€31,000) after finding that the new legislation had been “misinterpreted” by the authorities, according to a ruling published on Friday. It was just an inappropriate comma.

In 2023, the Lira chain was condemned for selling Heartstopper, a graphic novel about a romance between two high school students, which was popularized by the Netflix series, under conditions that “violated the rules”.

“The investigation established that these books” by British author Alice Oseman, “although depicting homosexuality, were offered in the children’s section without airtight packaging,” the government explained at the time.

The decision was based on the government’s desire to “protect children” under the 2021 law, which European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described as a “disgrace”. According to this law, it is no longer possible to talk to minors about “gender change and homosexuality.”

However, Lira later realized that due to an error—a missing comma—the law only requires airtight packaging for books that are “sold separately from other goods.”

The company took the case to the capital court, which supported its vision of Hungarian grammar.

Although he is happy about it, creative director Cristian Nyari now fears more similar cases, because he believes that the law is so poorly written that it is difficult to interpret.

This will further complicate “life for the book trade and the industry,” he told AFP.

Cinema has also suffered: like X-rated films, simple romantic comedies are no longer shown in prime time because they evoke homosexuality.

Museums have also restricted access to some exhibitions.

According to Brussels, which initiated the infringement procedure, the Hungarian law contradicts the rights to freedom of expression and non-discrimination, as well as the free provision of services and the free movement of goods.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a European champion of “illiberal” values, has taken a number of controversial measures in recent years, saying he wants to “protect children from LGBT+ propaganda.”